William B. Umstead State Park

Facilities

Group camping: Three group camps: Camp Crabtree, Camp Lapihio and Camp
Whispering Pines—are available to youth groups and nonprofit organizations.
Each camp includes a mess hall, dining area, camper and staff cabins and
washhouses. Located in the heart of the woodlands, each camp offers ample
opportunity to explore the wonders of nature. Swimming in Sycamore and Reedy
Creek lakes is a popular group activity. Groups are responsible for providing
swimming supervision and water safety.

Group camps are open April through October and may be rented daily in
spring and fall or weekly during the summer. Accommodating between 27 and 120
people, an entire camp may be rented or a unit of cabins may be rented. Fees
vary accordingly. A minimum of 10 people is required to rent a group camp or
unit.

See the Park web site for information on other features of the Park, which
includes trails, museum, and visitor center.

Park History

Long before the first settlers, the area now known as William B. Umstead
State Park was an untamed land. American bison, elk, bobcats and wolves roamed
majestic forests of oak, hickory and beech. Native Americans later inhabited
the land and avenues of trade were developed nearby. Such avenues included the
Occoneeche trail to the north and the Pee Dee trail to the south. In 1774,
land grants opened the area for settlement.

Forests were cleared as agricultural interests sprouted. While early
farming efforts were successful, poor cultivation practices and one-crop
production led to depletion and erosion of the soil. During the Depression,
farmers made futile attempts to grow cotton in worn-out soil around Crabtree
Creek.

In 1934, under the Resettlement Administration, federal and state agencies
united to buy 5,000 acres of this submarginal land to develop a recreation
area. The Civilian Conservation Corps, as well as the Works Progress
Administration, helped construct the site while providing much needed jobs.
Four camps along with day-use and picnic facilities were built and the park
opened to the public in 1937.

The state purchased this area, known as Crabtree Creek Recreation Area, for
$1, and more facilities were built as the General Assembly made its first
state parks division appropriation in the 1940s. In 1950, more than 1,000
acres of the park were established as a separate park for African-Americans.
This area was named Reedy Creek State Park. Crabtree Creek Recreation Area was
renamed a few years later after former Governor William Bradley Umstead
because of his conservation efforts. In 1966, the Crabtree Creek and Reedy
Creek areas were united under the same name; William B. Umstead State Park
was open to everyone.

Directions to William B. Umstead State Park & Camp Lapihio

William B. Umstead State Park is located in Wake County between Raleigh
and Durham.

The Crabtree Creek section is located 10 miles northwest of Raleigh off US
70. The park visitor’s center and camping facilities, including group Camp
Lapihio, are located in this section at 8801 Glenwood Ave.

From I-40 and the West, take I-40, turn northeast on I-540 and take the US 70
exit. Travel southeast on US 70, and turn right on Umstead Parkway at the park entrance

From Raleigh Beltline take exit US-70 West (Glenwood Ave.). Pass CarMax and
Sports Authorities, then turn left into the park entrance.

From the North, take I-85 to exit number 179, which is marked "To US 70 East."
(You will be following markings toward US 70 South and RDU Airport.) Turn left at the
light at the top of the ramp onto East Club Blvd. Turn right at the next light onto East
Geer St. At the second light on E. Geer, turn left onto Hardee St. Continue to follow the
detour signs to South US 70. (This is a construction area and details change frequently.
However, it is usually clearly marked.) Go straight on US 70 for about 8 miles. Park
entrance is on your right after passing the airport turn offs and the Angus Barn
Restaurant.

Directions to Camp Lapihio, from within Umstead

Once you arrive at Umstead State Park, follow the main road (Umstead Parkway) to the
Park Office and Visitor Center. Just past the Visitor Center, turn left and go to a T intersection.
Turn right at the T intersection and follow this road past the entrance to Youth Camp.
At the next T intersection, turn left, towards Camp Crabtree and Camp Lapihio. Stay to
the right on this road to reach Camp Lapihio. The Camp is
about 1.9 miles from the Visitor Center.

Gate Hours

The gates to Umstead State Park are closed from approximately sunset to
sunrise. In April that means they are closed from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM. If you
need to enter or exit while the gates are closed, you must make special
arraingements to have your car parked outside the park and to get a ride
to/from the gate.